World Cup 2014 Thread

[Zeppo]

Holy cow these rains are unbelievable. All the way down from Natal, it's been raining. As we got close to Recife, there were some seriously flooded roads. I'm amazed our tiny rental car made it through! Amazingly we found a big, official parking lot with shuttle busses to the stadium. It's supposed to rain steadily all day, but the heaviest downpours might be done.

It's going to be a sloppy, wet game. I wonder if the ref will bother to do the bounce test. Why would he? It's FIFA. The game needs to be played, who cares if conditions are decent or the game is fair?

I'm sure I'll be drenched by the end of the game. Here's hoping the ride back is pleasant because we succeeded in advancing! Otherwise, it's going to be a long, depressing ride back in the dark.

[fsquid]

according to FIFA, the field test will be at 11 by the ref. They'll play it regardless I'm sure though.

[Rodster]

I think PK must've influenced the ruling committee cause Suarez got a 9 match Int'l ban plus is looking at a 4 month ban from play.

[Naples39]

What an interesting morning!! Key Ghana players suspended and mass flooding in Recife!

I'm seeing lots of pics of knee deep water on the roads on twitter, and word that fans are abandoning their cars to walk 17 miles to stadium!?

USA team bus arrived a few minutes ago...

[Naples39]

Omar Gonzalez replaces Cameron in center defense. Brad Davis in for Bedoya at LM.

Lineup loses speed, but neither player coming out has performed all that well.

[pk500]

Holy cow these rains are unbelievable. All the way down from Natal, it's been raining. As we got close to Recife, there were some seriously flooded roads. I'm amazed our tiny rental car made it through! Amazingly we found a big, official parking lot with shuttle busses to the stadium. It's supposed to rain steadily all day, but the heaviest downpours might be done.

It's going to be a sloppy, wet game. I wonder if the ref will bother to do the bounce test. Why would he? It's FIFA. The game needs to be played, who cares if conditions are decent or the game is fair?

I'm sure I'll be drenched by the end of the game. Here's hoping the ride back is pleasant because we succeeded in advancing! Otherwise, it's going to be a long, depressing ride back in the dark.

Wait -- you're IN BRAZIL, YOU F*CK?

I HATE YOU. What a thrill!

[JackB1]

Holy cow these rains are unbelievable. All the way down from Natal, it's been raining. As we got close to Recife, there were some seriously flooded roads. I'm amazed our tiny rental car made it through! Amazingly we found a big, official parking lot with shuttle busses to the stadium. It's supposed to rain steadily all day, but the heaviest downpours might be done.

It's going to be a sloppy, wet game. I wonder if the ref will bother to do the bounce test. Why would he? It's FIFA. The game needs to be played, who cares if conditions are decent or the game is fair?

I'm sure I'll be drenched by the end of the game. Here's hoping the ride back is pleasant because we succeeded in advancing! Otherwise, it's going to be a long, depressing ride back in the dark.

Can't believe Zeppo's there!

Good luck getting to the field Zeppo....give us reports as you can. I think the wet field will be good for us, in that it could facilitate a slower, more deliberate and defensive, low scoring game.

[RobVarak]

Omar Gonzalez replaces Cameron in center defense. Brad Davis in for Bedoya at LM.

Lineup loses speed, but neither player coming out has performed all that well.

Beat me to the punch. Jurgen drops the two guys who should've been the targets of the grief that was directed Bradley's way.

[10spro]

Indeed, stay dry Zeppo you lucky bastard. I took pretty much almost a month off not to miss this event but to be in samba country is a thrill. Are the Argentinians and Brazilians fans still killing each other?

Enjoy the game!

[10spro]

If you can't watch the game send this form to your boss, it's approved by the coach.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/post/_/ ... -us-soccer


FWIW, Muntari and Boateng are two key players that make Ghana such a dangerous team especially the Milan player, Sully. He was the best player against Germany, he's a bit of hot head but good for the nation to suspend those two bullies in the team.

[RobVarak]

[Naples39]

Omar Gonzalez replaces Cameron in center defense. Brad Davis in for Bedoya at LM.

Lineup loses speed, but neither player coming out has performed all that well.

Beat me to the punch. Jurgen drops the two guys who should've been the targets of the grief that was directed Bradley's way.

Brad Davis making first WC appearance. If only the USA had another experienced player who they could slide in at LM with pace and the ability to counterattack...

[JackB1]

slow start for US.

Germany with all the early pressure. US defense better wake up.

[JackB1]

so far, so good.

Portugal winning 1-0 and US surviving early on and gaining confidence.

[Naples39]

A few close calls in first 10 minutes, since then relatively controlled.

Germany still dangerous though, and finding space down the wing then crossing in.

[10spro]

Considering the very wet conditions, the pitch was very well maintained. Despite the overwhelming ball possession, the Germans haven't really tested Howard, Podolski had a clear chance in the beginning but shot with the wrong foot.

[fsquid]

Jermaine Jones is quickly becoming my favorite player.

[wco81]

So whether they held on to beat Portugal or get tied, US still would have been second in the group and facing Belgium.

Coming in, they supposedly had no chance to get out of the group.

Now of course, they'll be heavy underdogs against Belgium.

[pk500]

EX-f*cking-HALE.

We march on!

[fsquid]

c'mon Algeria

[RobVarak]

That Syrio quote I posted earlier just nails the feeling of the day.

[Naples39]

I'm not sure how to feel right now. We got through, which is the important thing.

I preferred the manner of going through in 2010 with the dramatic winner against Algeria than the kind of sheepish way of this year and 2002. Second round in 3 of 4 ain't bad though.

[JackB1]

Was watching both games simultaneously and the Ghana/Portugal game looked like is was very entertaining.

Proud of the boys in red white & blue for making it out of this "Group of Death". Even though Germany controlled
posession by a wide margin, I thought our defense was pretty darn good. No glaring miscues or giveaways and
they made a lot of very good plays along the way. Howard was great once again and the initial stop he made
before the goal was incredible.

So glad we can finally stop talking about the missed opportunity against Portugal and how Bradley cost us that game

USA MARCHES ON!!!

[fsquid]

I think we just were tired. I think if the Germany game is game #1, I think we might draw.

[fsquid]

also, how about CONCACAF?